In response to a petition submitted by authorized representatives of lodging properties within the TPA whose collective room capacity comprises 78% of those rooms subject to the additional TPA lodging charge, Yakima City Council, during the its regular business meeting on May 18, 2021, directed staff to draft a resolution of intent to modify Chapter 5.99 of the Yakima Municipal Code entitled “Tourism Promotion Area.”
Under YMC 5.99.070(A), the resolution of intent shall set a time for a public hearing to consider the proposed action, which in this instance will be set for 6:00 p.m. on June 15, 2021 at the Yakima City Hall Council Chambers. Subsequent to the public hearing, Council may elect to pass the ordinance amending Chapter 5.99.040 to impose the additional two-dollar tourism promotion charge. The proposed ordinance is attached.
In 2020, the Washington State Legislature granted local legislative authorities the ability, under RCW 35.101.057, to impose an additional charge of up to three dollars per night of lodging for stays at lodging businesses located within a TPA. In order to impose the additional charge, the Yakima City Council must receive signatures from lodging businesses who would pay sixty percent or more of the proposed charges. The signatories must specify the proposed uses and projects to which the proposed revenue from the additional charge shall be put, the total estimated costs, and the estimated rate for the charge.
On April 14, 2021, the City received a petition from authorized representatives of lodging properties within the TPA whose collective room capacity comprises 78% of those rooms subject to the additional TPA lodging charge. The petition contains the proposed uses and projects to which the proposed revenue from the additional charge shall be put, the total estimated costs, and the estimated rate for the charge as required by RCW 35.101.057. The petition seeks to impose an additional two-dollar charge per night of lodging at stays within the Yakima County TPA. The current boundaries of the TPA include the City of Yakima and all unincorporated areas of Yakima County. |